About The Song
“Cherry Bomb” is a song by American rock singer John Mellencamp. It was released as the second single from Mellencamp’s ninth studio album, The Lonesome Jubilee (1987). “Cherry Bomb” is a nostalgic song that reflects on Mellencamp’s teenage years hanging out at the Last Exit Teen Club. The single was released in the United States in October 1987, backed with the B-side “Shama Lama Ding Dong”.
Upon its release, “Cherry Bomb” reached number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, number 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and number eight on the Hot 100. Internationally, “Cherry Bomb” peaked at number four in New Zealand and number five in Canada, earning a gold certification in the latter country. The music video for the song features a couple dancing intimately with one another near a jukebox while Mellencamp dances by himself, interspersed with vintage video clips
“Cherry Bomb” features a female voice (Mellencamp background singer Crystal Taliefero) and two other male voices (band members Toby Myers and Mike Wanchic) in addition to Mellencamp’s on the second verse. Mellencamp told GQ magazine in 2022 what inspired him to have voices other than his own take turns singing lead: “Sly and the Family Stone. He had all those hit records when I was in junior high, and I love the fact that all the sudden there’s a female voice, then a male voice.”
Video
Lyrics
Well, I lived on the outskirts of town
In an eight room farmhouse, baby
When my brothers and friends were around
There was always somethin’ doin’
Had me a couple of real nice girlfriends
Stopped by to see me every once in a while
When I think back about those days
All I can do is sit and smile
That’s when a sport was a sport
And groovin’ was groovin’
And dancin’ meant everything
We were young, and we were improvin’
Laughin’, laughin’ with our friends
Holdin’ hands meant somethin’, baby
Outside the club Cherry Bomb
Our hearts were really thumpin’
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah
The winter days, they last forever
But the weekends went by so quick
Went ridin’ around this little country town
We were goin’ nuts, girl, out in the sticks
One night, me with my big mouth
A couple guys had to put me in my place
When I see those guys these days
We just laugh and say, “Do you remember when”
That’s when a sport was a sport
And groovin’ was groovin’
And dancin’ meant everything
We were young, and we were improvin’
Laughin’, laughin’ with our friends
Holdin’ hands meant somethin’, baby
Outside the club Cherry Bomb
Our hearts were really thumpin’
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah
Alright
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah
17 has turned 35
I’m surprised that we’re still livin’
If we’ve done any harm
I hope that we’re forgiven
Got a few kids of my own
And some days I still don’t know what to do
I hope that they’re not laughin’ too loud
When they hear me talkin’ like, this to you
That’s when a sport was a sport
And groovin’ was groovin’
And dancin’ meant everything
We were young, and we were improvin’
Laughin’, laughin’ with our friends
Holdin’ hands meant so much, baby
Outside the club Cherry Bomb
Our hearts were really pumpin’
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah
Say, yeah, yeah, yeah